Mask You (Linity)

The mask of masculinity you talk about is very true in our society today. I have experienced this type of mask that men are forced toward, in order to be accepted. In our school environment, male students are portrayed as the mentally and physically strong students.
An experience that I would like to share, that shows this exact masculinity is about two kids that were in the cafeteria. Last year, there was a table of students, mostly male, but some female students. One of the males got mad at the other, I have no clue what happened, and he took the other kids lunch and threw it away in the trash. Instead of the way women may have approached it, talking with the person or confronting an authority figure, the victim took it upon himself to attack the other individual. The two students ended up settling their differences, but not until both were escorted for fighting. I fell this situation brought to my attention that the boys felt the need to act tough and "cool" around the other gender.
I have thought about the way that men are placed with this mask of masculinity that reads, " To validate your self, you must be strong, and tough." But, I feel there is another way that a male can validate himself. How about the fact that when he gets married, being able to raise a family: providing income, being a good husband and father, and most of all, maturing into a well-respected, recognized for his achievements, not violence.
In the clip that I watched, it was the exact way men are portrayed in our society. The little kid wants to be like the superhero, but is told that he is not strong enough and not old enough. I feel we need to change, and men should be portrayed as successful, calm individuals, instead of rough and tough, violent citizens.

Bowling for Columbine

Violence and guns are two connected topics that negatively affect our society today. The violence and gun influenced is multiplied by the media. I feel that the media uses its power to give views a sense of fear and knowledge. Although the television news programs are trying to tell us how bad guns are, they give the gunmen publicity and put the idea in people's minds that if they are violent, they will get recognized. Almost all of the news these days, is about bad things and the violence that occurs throughout the day. I think the news programs should not show the violence, which gives the aggressor mention, and rather put important government news and positive contributions to our world on their programs.
I feel violence is so high because people want to be recognized in our very diverse society. These days, weapons are so available and hard to control, that the "bad" people out there, take advantage of this and use the weapons to hurt others.
Then there is the government. The government does do a great job, with all its regulations and laws, prohibiting guns and the purchasing of them, but there has to be something stronger they can do, in order to make the world, a safer and crime-free land. I think the government, due to its size and important, should be able to stop something positive, when it gets out of hand.

Tuesdays with Morrie

Are Americans afraid of death? Is death a taboo topic? Why do you think this is the case? How might our feelings about death be related to our materialism?

Death... not only is this our ultimate fate, but it is a sensitive topic in our society today. Most people shy away from a conversation regarding death due to the fact of being afraid or scared. Americans process the word, death, as a very negatively, emotional thought. I would agree that I hate talking about it. To me, death is bad, but I do realize that it has to come sometime. Our feelings regarding death may be related to materialism because we are so focused on money, and what we have, and don't really think about or stop to discuss our health or well-being.
Death to most people is so negative because as much as they don't think specifically about it, they love living and interacting with everyone around them. About a month ago, I was just sitting around, watching some TV, and I thought about what would happen when I died. As I thought more about it, I wondering how I would die, when I would die, what would go on after I died. I would admit, I got goose-bumps thinking of all those things and the overall idea of death. But, the ultimate reason I think death is so tabooed in our society, is the uncertainty that comes with this destiny of ours. (Not knowing when it will come, how it will happen, or what will happen after)

Amercian Culture Metaphors

American Culture has been said to contain many different origins and heritages, which make up their varied culture. Many people see America as a melting pot, due to the fact that is contains a wide variety of people that live in the United States. However, there is also a belief that American culture is actually a "salad bowl," rather than a melting pot. These people claim that cultures should not be blended into a "pot" but rather be combined into one group, in which each individual "ingredient" or "ethnicity" can be distinguished.
Although there are melting pot or salad metaphors, some can picture our society as a culture, much like a salsa, where there is a little blend, but you can still distinguish the specific ingredients.
Therefore, no matter how people relate American culture to other things, everyone is trying to get a grip on how our culture is special and different from the others. And the common idea that people point out, is that there are many cultures that make up the "American Culture."
My personal opinion is that our culture is comprised of many different cultures, yet special in its own way. I would agree with the salad metaphor because when I think of American, I think of a place where many different ethnicities are accepted and live, but also remember that when you look at our culture from up close, you are able to find a group of people from almost anywhere in the world. . (Diversity)